Relief

relief
   escapes
      in deep sighs
   from my lips
and heart

relief
   floods me
      as i breathe
         deeper now
      away from you
   than i dared
anywhere near

relief
   kisses me
      holds me
         closer than
      you ever
cared to

relief
   touches me
      moves me
         transports me
         carries me
      on wings
   safely away
from you

my open heart
   paid dearly
      when you
         punished me
         seeking relief
      from your pain
   which i did not
cause.

until one
   bittersweet day
      the truth
   relieved me
of you.

~ cj 2011.09.24